I'm far from a perfect animal activist.

Though my meat consumption is limited, I understand that is still problematic. Regardless, I hate zoos and I hate circuses.

The first time I realized this is when I went to a circus attraction in my hometown when I was about seven years old. A whole section of the production was dedicated to whipping and torturing poor, innocent tigers. I remember cringing and wanting to leave---that I was supporting something with wrong intentions.

This article was triggered by Buzzfeed's article entitled,

"Ringling Bros. Circus Is Shutting Down After 146 Years"

found here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/ringlin...

This article delves into the cruelties of the circus as a whole and talks about the lawsuits faced towards large circus companies. You cannot deny the indignity done against these innocent animals and how circuses make money off of hurting those animals. You laugh at their woe, you chant for their demise, you pay for their execution.

A few years ago, I went to a zoo in Chicago with my then boyfriend and his family. We were also with an academic group my ex and I were in, so I didn't have much of a choice in going. I mentioned my dislike for zoos to the ex's mother and she gave me a sermon about how the caged tiger we were looking at was happy and fulfilled. I looked at his small cage and his limited freedom and glared back at her, knowing this was an argument I would not win considering her disbelief in evolution and the like.

I can agree that some zoos are...okay. Some zoos take in hurt animals to rehabilitate them and then send them home. I respect and acknowledge that, but that isn't the kind of zoo I'm referring to.

I've heard the argument: "But, if we don't see animals in zoo's, we won't know they exist!" While I understand the intended point of this argument about seeing is believing, I don't have to tell you about the ignorance of that statement. I digress. Zoos keep animals who thrive in the wild captive and caged for booger-filled fingernails to tap on the glass and make noises at the animals.

I can't tell you what not to spend your money on, but I can tell you of my opinion and what I choose to not support. I will not ride on a little horse-drawn carriage because they are stored in little warehouses and left there. I will not go to a circus, and I will not go to a zoo, without thorough research into the treatment and intentions of the animals.

Be a smart consumer with a heart for these creatures.